Virgil E. Barnes

Virgil E. Barnes (1903–1998) was a Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin, affiliated with the Bureau of Economic Geology. His career spanned decades of geologic research, including over 100 geologic maps and the Geologic Atlas of Texas. He specialized in economic geology, tektite studies, and meteorite impact analysis.

• Education: BS/MS (Washington State College), PhD (University of Wisconsin).
• Professional Affiliations: Bureau of Economic Geology (1935–1977 retirement), U.S. Geological Survey.

Research interests focused on tektites, leading to his seminal 1940 work on North American Tektites. He traveled globally with NSF grants, studying impact craters and tektite sites. His health struggles with ankylosing spondylitis did not deter his fieldwork.

Received the Barringer Medal (1988), Distinguished Texas Scientist (1988), and AAPG Public Service Award (1993).

Legacy includes nearly 300 publications, including his memoir On Solid Ground (1995). His research advanced understanding of terrestrial geology and meteorite impacts, with global impacts on Space Age science.